Looking ahead to the congressional debate on common-sense immigration reform, we have not forgotten the legislative missteps of the past decade, when many were excited by the prospect of real reform only to be disillusioned by its failure at the hands of political miscalculations and rotten propaganda.

Now, with Republicans and Democrats recognizing the political mandate for reform, the lessons of the last major debate provide a road map for tactical potholes to avoid to win common-sense immigration reform.

This Top 10 list comes from Republican and Democratic consultants: César Martínez, a GOP media consultant who worked on the past four presidential races and was very involved six years ago in supporting the millions of hardworking immigrants; and Gebe Martinez, a former journalist who reported on the last major immigration debates in Congress and now specializes in strategic communications.

1. Mobilize your base, but win some hearts in the process.

This is a country of immigrants who have fueled its greatness. Like many immigrants of the past, the stories of new immigrants remind us of the risks our ancestors took to come to the U.S. and of the opportunities they earned. When seen through the prism of their ancestors, individuals who previously distanced themselves from the issue will think about the benefits of reform and come to your side.

2.Win the battle in the middle.

Elections are won in the middle and so, too, is immigration reform. You already have the “D’s” on your side; you need some “R’s” for enactment. Invite — do not confront — the public to support this important initiative because it will change all of our lives for the better. Our economy will prosper, the wage scale of the nation’s workforce will rise — and our values as a civil, just and humane society will be renewed. There is nothing to fear in immigration reform.

3. Ignore the extremists who play to unfounded fears.

You won’t convince FAIR’s Dan Stein or other like-minded opponents, so don’t waste your time. Appeal to the average Joe and the average José in the middle with a common-sense solution and invite majorities on both sides of the political aisle to show support.

4. Be smart and courageous and stick to the facts.

Lawmakers and voters will see an abundance of false information, such as a recent email blast that claimed 11 million undocumented immigrants will be voting for Democrats and “they won’t even wait to become official citizens.” As recent elections proved, extremists’ suspicions of voter fraud by noncitizens were greatly exaggerated.

Don’t make your message sound like it is coming from Obama’s camp. Almost half of the country did not vote for him, so if you want to convince some Republicans and independents, tell voters that this is good for the country, not an Obama legacy, César Martínez advises. Gebe Martinez suggests this can be a win-win for both sides.

6. March on the phone and online through social media.

Street protests are good and show muscle, but the real battle will be won by people who call, write and email their representatives. (This time, it’s “Dial & type, Stupid!”)

7. Keep the flags (other than the U.S. flag) at home.

This is an American issue that should be shown as benefiting the U.S., not other countries.

8. Lawmakers: Stop tolerating contemptible, xenophobic rhetoric.

This includes past suggestions from their colleagues and candidates, such as thinning out the “alien invasion” by shooting at immigrants from helicopters or stringing high-voltage electric fences along the U.S.-Mexico border to kill them.

9. Democrats, do not take the Latino support for granted; Republicans, grab — even embrace — the opportunity!

For those needing a sharp reminder, please review the November 2012 election results.

10. A note to those “young” and inexperienced (as in Rep. Don Young, we mean you):

Congressman, kindly stick to Alaskan issues. Keep your comments to yourself. Remember that those types of negative comments resonate with the media and do nothing for a new GOP message of opportunity and inclusion.

We hope the two centavos of advice from two Martinezes on opposite sides are helpful this time around in managing the voices and messaging for reform. Common-sense immigration reform will work for all of us, regardless of what side of the political aisle you claim.

César Martínez is the founder and president of MAS Consulting, the Hispanic media adviser for numerous national Republican campaigns. Gebe Martinez is the founder of GM Networking, a strategic communications firm, and is a former congressional and political journalist.